Window



H. W. HACKER Oct. 3, 1950 WINDOW Filed Dec. 18, 1944 INVENTOR. loradgMCZfer '@'%M l 1 w my,

Patented Oct. 3,, 195

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE W OW.

Horace W. Hacker, La Grange, Ill. Application December 18, 1944, Serial No. 568,710

Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in double paned windows and more particularly those with each pane of glass mounted in a separate frame as shown, for example, in my copending application Serial No. 553,439, filed September 9, 1944, and since abandoned.

' In the manufacture of wooden windows certain variables affect the size of the parts in such a manner that it is well nigh impossible to produce and maintain a wooden window having fixed predetermined dimensions. This is due to the very nature of the Wood. No wood is ever stable in dimensions. 'All woods swell and shrink and warp when exposed to moisture, especially unequal exposure as between outside and inside. All woods swell, shrink and warp according to variations in atmospheric humidity, variations which range daily, seasonally and climatically from to 100%, and especially to unequal exposure as between outside and inside. All woods shrink and warp with ageing and with release of internal strains because the grain lies in directions crossing each other and the machined surfaces in infinite variety. Buildings settle and window frames go out of square. Due to these dimensional variables a window may sometimes be airtight both as between the outside and the inside of the building and as between the outside and. the confined space between the window panes, and

at other times the same Window may leak air to a great degree.

It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a double paned window wherein variables resulting from manufacturing differences or from changing conditions after manufacture and installation of the complete window will not result in air leakage. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention the two opposite Window panes which are to constitute a double glazed Window are each mounted in separate frames, said frames:

the inside of 'the sash compress both of the glassholding frames against the back stop toward the outside of the sash. The contacting surfaces of the glass-holding frames with respect to one another and of one of the frames with respect to the sash are flat surfaces parallel to the plane of the window and with clearance all around. 'Be cause these surfaces are flat and parallel to the plane of the window and have clearance around the perimeter any expansion or contraction of one of the contacting surfaces withrespect to the other merely results in a relative sliding of the two surfaces, in the planes of the surfaces or, in the transverse direction, of slightly moving the spring pressure clamps in or out, without affecting the air-tight relationship of the two surfaces.

The outermost window glass-holding frame provides the seal against air leakage from the 7 outside to the inside of the room. The innermost glass-holding frame is compressed towards the outermost frame. All of the pressure that is exerted on the innermost frame is effective not .only to seal the space between the two glassholding frames but also to press the outermost eter and sufiiciently close together to insure uniform contact'between the two glass-holding frames and also between the outer glass-holding frame and the back stop in the sash, at all points around the frame sides.

The spacing of the spring pressure clamps with respect to each other depends upon the size and hence stiffness of the rails and stiles of the glassholding frames. For example, lightly constructed frames might require clamps every two to four inches, whereas heavier constructed frames might need them only six to eight inches apart. It is essential that they be close enough together to insure tight contact of the flat surfaces all the way around the frames to prevent air leaks at all points. This multiplicity of clamping points is a vital feature of this invention.

that they are readily removable from the sash, or

in g movement into the room. 7

The window sash provides a back stop for one of the two glass-holding frames, which in turn then constitutes the entire back stop for the other glass-holding frame. Spring'pressure clamps on by pivotally mounting them in the sash for swing- The attainment of the above and. further ob'-.

jects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken. in con junction with the accompanying drawing'forming a part thereof.

In the drawing: s

Figure 1 is a frontview of one type of window 3 to which the present invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged front view of the hinge;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the hinge, and

Figure 6 is an enlarged front view of the clamping means in position.

Reference may now be had more particularly to Figure 1. indicated at I, Said frame may be of conventional construction but is here shown as provided on opposite sides with vertically extending channel-shaped slots, one on each side thereof, in each of which is mounted a strip 3 of wood or the like constituting a slide. Each slide has a vertically extending V-shaped groove 4' therein. A window sash 5, provided at its opposite stiles with shoes having V-shaped tongues is mounted for reoiprocable movement in the frame. The shoes extend the full height of the stiles. One of the shoes 6 carried by the sash is constantly urged toward the slide 3 by a series of coiled springs l spaced vertically of one another. On the opposite side of the sash there is a vertically extending shoe 8, rigidly mounted on the sash and having a similar V-shaped tongue sliding in a V-shaped groove in a slide 3 mounted on the frame I. The angle of the V-shaped groove in each slide 3 is exactly the same angle of the V-shaped tongue on the shoes 6 and 8. The shoes 5 and 8 on opposite sides of the sash 5 in cooperation with the slides 3 guide the window sash 5 in the vertical movement. The window sash is counterbalanced in the conventional manner as by two pairs of straps 99 on each side of the sash, which straps extend vertically upwardly around'the usual pulleys at the top of the frame and are'constantly pulled upwardlyeither by a spring at each pulley or a counterweight on the opposite side of the pulley. An upper window sash 5, similar to the sash 5, is mounted above and rearward of the sash 5, the two sashes being independently vertically slidable. The sash .5 comprises an open rectangle having vertical stiles l2 -l3 joined by upper and lower horizontal rails 14 and I5. Each of the stiles and rails 42, l3, l4 and. I5 has a shoulder l8 formed thereon so that the sash opening is of slightly smaller dimensions at the rear of the sash than at the front. The purpose of this shoulder will be apparent as this description proceeds. A rectangular front or inner glass-holding window frame is mounted on the sash 5 by upper and lower floating hinges 2i and 22 of similar construction. The frame ZOisa rectangular wooden frame in which is mounted a glass pane 24 in' any conventional manner, the pane being rigid in its frame 25. The thickness of the frame 20 is slightly less than half the thickness of the sash 5.

Each of the floating hinges is of a construction substantially the same as that of the hinges of my prior application above referred to. The hinge 22 consists of a metal plate 25 screwed or otherwise fastened to the window sash 5, and a similarmetal plate 26 screwed or otherwise fas-.

tened to the frame 20. Each of the plates is provided with a curled portion 21 forming two parallel vertical sockets; 'A- U-bolt 29 having a head 30 (Fig. 4) is journalled in the socket 21 of the plate 25 with its opposite free leg extending into In this figure a window frame is 4 the socket 21 of the plate 26. The hinge 2! is similar to the hinge 22. The direction of swinging movement of the frame 20 from the frame-' closed position of Figure 2 to its open position is inwardly of the room.

A rectangular rear or outer wooden glass-hold-- ing frame 35, similar to the frame 28 and of sub stantially the same size and holding a glass window pane 24 is hinged to the stile l3 of the sash 5 by a pair of upper and lower floating hinges 36 of a construction identical with the upper and lower hinges 2I22. When the frame 20 is in its open position the frame may be swung to its open position by swinging the same in a direction inwardly of the room. The opening in the sash 5 for receiving the glass-holding frames 20 and 35 is substantially larger both as to length and as to width than the corresponding dimensions of the frames 25 and 35.

At the back of the sash, at the frame-receiving opening thereof, the shoulder l8 acts as a back stop for the glass-holding frame 35. To that effect the frame 35 is of reduced dimension at the rear thereof so that the edge 39 of the frame is spaced from the edge 40 of the shoulder l8. The space 4| extends around the entire perimeter of the frame 35. The frame 35 and the shoulder l8 have opposite fiatsurfaces 42 and 43 which are parallel to one another and parallel to the planes of the flat faces of the glass window pane 24. Suitable compressible insulating material 44 is interposed between these two surfaces. This may comprise any suitable material, such as, for instance, soft wood, rubber, felt, spun glass, or the like. The frame 35 has an inner surface 45 which is a flat. planar surface parallel to the surface 42. The opposite surfaces 46 and 41 of the frame 20 are flat planar surfaces parallel to the planes of the surfaces of the glass 24. Suitable compressible heat insulating material is, optionally, interposed between the surfaces 45-46 and extends around the entire perimeter between the opposite surfaces of the two frames 2035.

The frame 20 is kept in its closed position by a series of spring pressed clamps 50 carried by the sash 5 and distributed about all four sides of the frame. The spring clamps 50 may be of any desired construction. As shown, each spring clamp consists of an almost circular plate 5|. secured to the sash in any desired manner over a hole 52 in the sash, in which is mounted a coiled spring 53 that bears against the plate 5| and against the head 54 of a bolt 56. The shank of the bolt'extends through the plate 5! and has a clamp shoe 58 secured thereto. One end of the clamp shoe bears against the plate 5| and the opposite end of the clamp shoe 58 bears against a short bearing plate on the frame.

20, as may be seen from Figure 2. To release the clamp it is merely necessary to pull the clamp shoe 58 in a direction outwardly of the sash, against the action of the spring 53, and then turn the shoe 58 through an angle approximately The clamp is then released from engagement with,

the frame 25.

Because the back and front surfaces ofthe frames 20 and 35, and the surfaces 43 of the sash l2 are all flat surfaces parallel to the plane of the window and free of any interlocking or interfitting projections, the frames 20 and 35ma'yiexpand or contract due to swelling or shrinking;

or may even warp without adversely affecting the air-tightfit of the frames in the window sash, Also, for the same reason, the insulating materials 44 may be omitted if desired.

l Under the action of the clamps 50 the'frame 2-0 presses against the compressible insulation betWeen.-the two frames along the entireperim-r eter of.the .frame 20 and seals the space between thetwo glass panes 24-24. 'Allofthepressure of the frame 20 is transmitted to the frame 35. which latter frame presses the insulation which extends around the entire perimeter of the shoulder l8, thus forming an air seal between the outer frame 35 and the sash. Due to the fact that the frame35 is mounted on floating hinges, it is free to assume a position determined by the plane of the surface 43. Any swelling or shrinking of the wooden frame 35 does not alter the perfect closure-with the sash because the opposed surfaces 42-43iare fiat planar surfaces devoid ofinterlocking or ,interfitting parts and parallel to the plane of the window. ,The same applies as to the action of the-frame 20 against the frame 35 because the surfaces 45-46 are also plane surfaces parallelto the plane of the window and free of interlocking or interfitting parts.

The frames 20 and 35 are smaller both as to length and as to width than the window opening in the sash 5, to avoid binding resulting from variations in dimensions both due to inaccuracies in the ori inal construction and to swelling or shrinking after the original construction.

The clamps 55 are distributed along each of the four sides of the sash 20. They are preferably comparatively close togethen'say, appreoi ably less than two feet between adjacent clamps, so as to prevent airleakage which might otherwise result from bulging or warping of thematerial between adjacent clamps. While in the above description the frames 20-35 havebeen shown as mounted on hinges, it is within the purview of the present invention to omit the hinges entirely. This is a practical construction because the two frames 20-35 are moved to theiropen position only when it is desired to clean the window. When it is desired to open the window forlventilati'onpurposes the frames 20-35 are not moved with respect to the s'a'sh"5. Instead the entire sash is raised in the frame I. x I

In compliance with the requirements of the patentstatutes I have here shown and described a referred embodiment of my invention. ,It is, however, tobe understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction here shown, the same, being merely illustrative of th principles of the invention.

What I consider new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent Q52 r 1. A double glass window comprising a sash having aiiwindow opening therein, two juxtaposed separately movable glass-holding frames of substantially the same dimensions insaid sash opening, said sash having a back stop for one of the glass-holding frames, and spring clamping means distributed along each side of the sash on one surface thereof and pressing the frames towards one another and towards the back stop while permitting shifting of the frames with respect to one another, the surfaces of pressure between the frames and between the one frame and the back stop being fiat non-interfitting planar surfaces parallel to the plane of the window, and each glass-holding frame being sufliciently smaller in height and in Width than the sash opening to avoid binding under normal variables so that the frames are freely shiftable with respect to one another and with respect to the sash to compensate for variations in sash and frame dimensions while maintaining asubstantial air seal between the glass-holding frames and betweenthe outside and the inside of the window.

2'. A double glass window, comprising a sash having a window opening therein, two juxtaposed glass-holding frames in said sash opening, separate, free floating hinges pivotally mounting the two frames on the same side of the sash opening, said window having means limiting the movement of one of the frames into the opening, and spring clamping means along each side of one of the frames and pressing that frame towards the other frame and pressing the two framesin thesash inpositionqagainst said limiting means, the surfacesof pressure between the frames themselves, and between the frame structure and. the sash being fiat non-interfitting planar surfaces parallel to the plane of the window, and-each glass-holding frame being sufficiently smaller in height and in'width than the sash opening to avoid binding under normal variables sothat the frames are shiftable with respect to'one' another and with respect to'the sash to compensatefor variations in sash and frame dimensions while maintaining a substantial air seal between the glass-holding frames and between the outside and the inside of the window.

3. A double glass window comprising a window sash having a window opening therein,-two juxtaposedglass-holding frames in said sash, opening, said .sash havinga shoulder projecting inward around the .insidetperimeter forming a back stop for the rear glass-holding. frame; the inner frame overlying theouter framealong'its entire perimeter and being of substantially the same lengthandwidth as the'ou'ter frame, and spring clamping meansalong each side of the inner. face of. the sashv and pressing the inner frame towards theouter. frame and pressing the outer frame, towards the back stop, thegsurfaces of pressure between the frames and between .the outer frame and the back stop being flat non-interfitting planarv surfaces parallel to the plane of the .win. dow, and each glass-holding frame being suffi oiently smaller. in height and in width than the sash openingtoavoid binding under normal variables so that the glass-holding frames are freely shiftable with respect to one another and with respect tow the sash .to. compensate for. variations in sash and frame dimensions while maintaining a substantial air seal between the glass-holding frames and between the outside and the inside of the window.

, 4. A. double glass window comprising a sash having a window opening therein, two juxtaposed glass-holding frames in said sash opening-said sash. having a shoulder projecting inward around the inside perimeter forming a back stop for the rear glass-holding frame, the inner frame over-- lying the outer frame along its entire perimeter and being of substantially the same length and width as the outer frame, separate free floating v hinges pivotally mounting the two glass-holding frames within the sash opening, and spring clamping means along each side of the inner face of the sash and pressing the inner frame towards the outer frame and pressing the outer frame towards the back stop, the surfaces of pressure between the frames and between the outer frame and the back stop being flat non-interfitting planar surfaces parallel to the plane of the window, and each glass-holding frame being sufficiently smaller in height and in width than the sash opening to avoid binding under normal variables so that the glass-holding frames are freely 7 Shiftable with res ect to one another and with respect to the sash to compensate for variations in sash and frame dimensions while maintainin a substantial air seal between the glass-holding frames and between the outside and the inside of the window.

5. A window sash having inner and outer juxtaposed glass-holding frames hinged to the sash, both frames being hinged within the sash opening, the sash having a back stop for one of the frames, means for pressing the said one frame towards said back stop, the hinges between at least one of the frames and the sash beingfioating hinges including separate spaced hinge plates secured respectively to the sash and to the frame along facing surfaces of the sash and the frame and including a swinging member pivoted on the hinge plate that is secured to the sash and pivotally supporting the other hinge plate about a pivot axis spaced from but parallel to the axis of turning of the swinging member on the hinge plate that is secured to the sash.

6. A window sash having inner and outer juxtaposed glass-holding frames both hinged on the same side of the sash for swinging movement in the same direction from the juxtaposed position to the glass frame-open position, the sash having a back stop for one of the frames, said one frame constituting the sole back stop for the other frame, the other frame being mounted on the sash by means comprising floating hinges thereby enabling the establishment of parallelism between the two frames in their juxtaposed position, and means for clamping the juxtaposed frames together along all of their sides.

' 7. A window sash having inner and outer jux taposed glass-holding frames both hinged on the sash for swinging movement inwardly from the juxtaposed position to the glass frame-open position, the sash having a back stop for one of the frames, said one frame constituting the sole back stop for the other frame, the other frame being I mounted on the sash by means comprising floating hinges thereby enabling the establishment of parallelism between the two frames in their juxtaposed position, and means for clamping the juxtaposed frames together along all of their sides.

8. A window sash having inner and outer juxtaposed glass-holding frames movable into and out 8 and pivotally supporting the other hinge plate about a pivot axis spaced from but parallel to the axis of turning of the swinging member on the hinge plate that is secured to the sash, and

means cooperating with at least one of the frames and holding the frames in the window closed position.

9. A window sash having inner and outer juxtaposed glass-holding frames therein, the sash having a back stop for one of the frames, there being a clearance space between the sash and the other frame .around the entire perimeter of the other frame and said one frame constituting the sole back stop for the other frame, the other frame being mounted on the sash by means comprising floating hinges thereby enabling the establishment of parallelism between the two frames in their juxtaposed posit-ion, each hinge having a pair of laterally spaced parallel pivot axes for said other frame and about which said two axes said other frame is swingable, and means for clamping the juxtaposed frames together along all of their sides.

10. A window sash having a sash opening, inner and outer juxtaposed glass holding frames hinged to the sash and movable into and out of the sash opening, the sash having a back stop for one of the frames, the hinges between at least one of the frames and the sash being floating hinges including separate spaced hinge plates one of which plates is mounted on the sash and the other of which plates supports its associated frame, each of said floating hinges including a swinging member pivoted on the hinge plate that is secured to the sash and pivotally supporting the other hinge plate about a pivot axis spaced from but parallel to the axis of turning of the swinging member on the hinge plate that is secured to the sash, and means for holding the frames in the window closed position.

HORACE W. HACKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Austria s Mar. 26, 1912 

